Fire extinguishing and burglary preventing means



Dec. 22, 1931. F. w. HECKERT FIRE EXTINGUISHING AND BURGLARY PREVENTING MEANS Filed Oct. 1, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet & 7

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1 A TTORNE) Patented Dec. 22, 1931 pairs rats oFFIeE FREDERICK w. HEcKEn'r, 0E NEAR narrow; oHro V 1 FIRE EXTIN'GUISHING- AND BURGLARY PREVENTING MEANS Application filed October 1, 1928. Seria11\To.309,604.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in fire extinguish ng and burglary preventlng means.

It is one of the principal objects of my supporting the extinguisher. Thus the handoperated fire extinguisher may be first ordered, and later, the device for automatically operating it if desired.

It is another object of the invention to provide for inclusion in the automatically operated unit, a suitable electric fire alarm for actuation by the same means, such as a hammer lever, that releases an expelling fluid from a conventional gas container and simultaneously actuates the fluid discharge valve.

It is another object of my invention to provide a discharge valve body that may be easily removed from the head of the fluidcontaining cylinder to render the valve and associated parts accessible for repair or replacement. 7 j

My device may also be used as an efficient burglar alarm by suspending it adjacent to or on a door or window, so that when the latter is opened, contacts will be engaged to close an electric circuit through a heater coil located adjacent a fusible link such as the solder connection. The latter will then be melted to set in operation a loud alarm and at the same time to operate the-discharge to release a distracting chemical such as tear Other important and incidental objects will be brought out in the following specification and particularly set forth in the subjoined claims. i

In the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention, Figure 1 is a front View of my device. I Figure 2 is a side view of the same, showing the wall bracket for supporting it. Figure 3 is a top view of thefldevice, showing the electric contacts. ,Figure 4. is a top. view of said device taken below the releasing mechanism.v Figuret is a perspective view of theelectrica-l contacts, showing the associated electrical circuits. And-Figure 6' is a longitudinal sectional View taken through the discharge valvebody, showing the discharge valve and associated parts.

Referring to .the accompanying drawings for a detailed description of, the forms of embodiment of my invention disclosed therein, the numeral 1 designates a wall plate formed with an endflange 2 and a rightangled retaining lug 3 secured by screws 4 to the front portion of said plate. Secured to the wall plate 1 between its rearflange portion 2 and retaining lug 3 are spring clips 5 v properly spaced to receive between them a liquid or gas container such as thecylinder 6. The plate 1 is adapted to be secured to a wall to support the liquid or gas container for automatic use, or for easywithdrawal from the spring clips 5 for hand use if desired. r .The cylinder 6 is closed at its front end by a removable head 7 from the middle portion of which there projects forwardlya boss 8. Mounted within the latter isa piercing pin 9 for a small receptacle suchas a cartridge. 7

10. The latter contains a gas which when released, acts as an expelling agent for a fire extinguishing fluid, or a burglar incapacitatchemical, within the main body of the cylinder. V I

V The expelled fluid or gas flows from the rear end of the cylinder through a pick-up tube 11 connected at itsv front end to a dis: charge valve body 12.

Referring to Figures 1 and 6, there is formed in the cylinder head 7 a hole having a threaded periphery which receives the valve body 12. The latter is formed with a standard taper pipe thread. that makes pos sible a tight joint without the useof gaskets.

At its middle portion the valve body 12 is formed with a hex portion 18 having a radial v dischargeorifice 13*. It is easily possible, by turning the threaded valve body 12 with a wrench applied to its hex'portion 13, to place the discharge orifice 13 in proper register with the front end of the extinguisher.

Referring to Figure 6, the numeral 14 designates a valve having a stem 14 that is threaded at its outer end to receive a spring retaining nut 14 Between this nut and a guide washer 15 anchored against an annular shoulder or flange 15 formed within the valve body 12, is a helical spring 16 which surrounds the Valve stem 14 is under compression to hold the valve 14 tightly against a valve s'eatsuch as the vellurnoid gasket 1] on the other side of the shoulder 15f. the'outer end of the valve body is jamb nut 18 and a packing nut 18*. The

latter is formed with a hole through which nut 14" projects. v Between the jamb nut 18 and the hex portion of the valve body 12, a flanged sup- 'ortin aiece 19is received. The latter is formed at its upper end with a bearing 20. for aremovablefpin 2l.

" Straddlingthebearing 20 for pivotal sup port by the. outer ends of the pin 21, are two,

' arms 22, 22 on a lever 23. The latter has a body from the cylinder head;

dotted lines in Figure 2.)

wide circular,- downwardly projecting middle portion that isformed with a central hole 24 to clear the boss 80f the cylinder 6, and terminates below it in a projection 25 for engagement by a nose piece 26 on a hammer lever2'Z hereinafter to be described. (See Fi ures 1', 2 and 4.)

. The'projections 25 also serves as a finger press when the extinguisher is hand oper- Upon its inward movement the lever 23 is adapted to engage the nut 14 on the stern of the valve 14 to force the latter fromits seat 17, whereupon the liquid within the cylinder 6 is free to pass out of the discharge orifice 13, in the hex portion 13 of the valve body 12.

The a ev .4 and t ssoc a pa tsfm y be easily removed from the cylinder for cleaning or repair by unscrewing thevalve Formed in the mid ll e portion of the hammer leve'r 27 is a threaded hole which receives a stud 28 having a reduced inner end that is adapted to engage'the' piercing pin 9 to puncture the cartridge 10. The lever 23 will be engaged at the same'time by the nose piece 26. in the lowerend of the hammer lever 27,

to engage the nut 14 on the stem of the valve 14 which, being then moved from its seat, will perm t the discharge of the fluid expelled from the cylinder by the gas such as carbon dioxide released from the cartridge 10. (See The hammer lever 27 suspends from a pin 28? secured between supports 29, 29 formed with feet 30 attached to the wall plate 1. Collars 31, 31 center the lever 27' onthe pin This spring a screw 36 to the end ofthe hammer lever 27.

The strap 35 is secured'at its outer end by a screw 37, within the bifurcated end of a rod 33. The other end of this rod isformed with a hole to receive one hook end 39 ofa coiled Wire 40.

The other hook end 41 of the coiled wire 4 0 is received by a hole formed in one end of a rod 42. This rod 42 passes through a hole in the flange portion 2 of the wall plate 1', the other end of the said rod 42 being threaded to receive a wing nut 43.

The above described fusible link construc tion may also be. easily attached to the wall plate 1. r a

After the solder 34 ismelted, *due to the increase'in temperature from a fire, the con:

nection between the straps 33 and 35 is broken, thus leaving thehammer arm 27 free to be pulled toward the cylinder 6 by the contracting force of the coil 40 to, engage the piercing p1n9 and valve stem nut 14*.

The outward movement of the hammer lever 27 is limited by a screw 27 secured to, the boss 8. When it is desired to remove the valve body 12, the screw 27 may be withdrawn, the screw 36 removed and the pivot 7 .pin 21 taken out, whereupon the hammer lever 27 may be taken off. A wrench may then be applied to the hex portion 13 of the valyie body '12 to unscrew it from the cylinder hea The release of the hammer lever from its normal position effects the closing of an electwo threaded studs 45 and 46. Within a hole in the upper portion of the base is seateda binding post 47 with its threaded end ex tending outward to receive a nut'48 and a knurled nut 49-, A copper contact 50 is se cured to said binding post 47 belowthe nut 48. This contact 50 is shaped over the edge of the base 44 and is adapted to engage a conev tact 51 when, the hammer lever 27 swingsin wardly from its normal position. The contact 51 is held in position againstthe leg29 by a binding post 52 passing through a hole in one end of the said contact 51. Said bind ing post has its threaded end extending outwardly to receive a nut 55. An electrical connection between this binding post and the leg 29 is prevented by fibre washers 53 and 54. (See Figures 1, 3 and 5.)

An electric circuit through the burglar alarm is defined as follows. (See Figure 5.)

A wire 56 leads fromthe binding post 4? to one pole of a battery 57 The circuit iscontinned from the opposite pole of said battery 57 through a wire 58 to an electrical alarm 59, then through the electromagnets of said alarm 59, through a wire 60 to the binding.

post 52 and contact 51. Thus when the lever arm 27 is pulled inwardly by the contracting force of the coil 40, the contact 50 will engage the contact 51 to close said circuit to set in operation the alarm 59.

A second and independent circuit is provided to energize a heating coil 61. (See Fig- 65, which is shaped over'tlie edge of the bake-v lite base 44, is connected one end of the heater coil 61. This coil is mounted on a porcelain spool 66 which is secured to a screw 66 attached to the base 44. The other end of the coil 61 is connected to a clip 67 which is constructed after the fashion of the clip 65, and secured to the binding post 68 on the base 44 below a lock nut 69 and a knurled nut 70. Thus the construction of this binding post and its connections are the same as that of binding post- 64 and its connections.

A wire 71 connects the binding post 68 with the contact 72. The contact 7 3 is connected to the opposite pole of said battery 62 155 by a wire 74. Contacts 7 2 and 73 are adapted to engage so as to close the circuit. (See Figures 1, 3 and 5.)

The purpose of this circuit is to provide a means by which the device can be used as a burglar alarm instead of a fire extinguisher.

Thus the contacts 72 and 7 3 can be secured, one to a door or window and the other to the casing of the door or, window, so that they will engage when the door or window is opened. Their engagement will close the circuit through the battery 62 and heater coil 61. The latter will generate sufficient heat after the circuit is closed to melt the solder connection 34 which is located adjacent to the said coil 61. (See Figures 2, Sand 5.) 1

As soon as the solder 34 is melted, the con- V 1 Three operations will be set up independ ently with the inward movement of the hammer lever'27. The contact 50 will engage 'the contact 51, thus-closing the circuit through, V the battery 57 and setting in operation the alarm 59.

The reduced inner endof the stud 28 will engage the piercing pin 9 and puncture the cartridge 10, thus releasing the expelling gas. 7 At the same time the nose piece 26 on the hammer lever 27 on its inward swing will engage the projection 25 of the lever 28. The latter being adapted to engage the nut 14 on the stem of the valve 14, will open the valve, whereupon the fluid in the cylinder 6 will be free to pass out of the discharge hole 13 inthe hex portion 13 of the valve body 12.

Ifit is desired to use the device for burglary prevention, the cylinder 6 can be filled with a distracting chemical such as tear gas,

which will be expelled through the pick up" tube in the cylinder6 and valve 14,- by the gas released from the cartridge 10. vWith the simultaneous operation of the alarm, this device provides an efiicientburglarypreventive means. I

I do not desire to be limited to the detailsof construction and arrangement herein shown and described, and any changes or modificationsmay be made therein within the scope of tliesubjoined claims. a

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the type described, a cylinder formed with two 'opening sin its head portion, a gas-container within said cylinder ad- 3 jacent one opening therein, a valve body in the other opening in said head portion, a valve within said body, stern means on said valve projecting beyond said head portion, a lever pivotally mounted'on said valve body for actuation of said stein means, a puncture pinfor opening the gas container also projecting beyond said head portion, a hammer lever for engagement with said first men tioned lever and puncture pin, resilient means for drawing the hammer lever into engagement with the puncture pin and the valve stem lever to force them inwardly, and a con nection adapted to be broken by'heat for holding said hammer lever out of engagement with said valve stem lever and puncture pin. 1 I a I 2. In adevice of the type described, a cylinder formed with two openings in its head portion, a gas-container within said cylinder adjacent one opening therein, a valve body in the other opening in said head portion, a valve within said body, stem means on said valve projecting beyond said head portion, a lever pivotally mounted on "said valve body for actuation of said stem means, a puncture pin for opening the gas-container, also projecting beyond said head portion, a hammer drawing said hammer lever into engagement with the valve stem lever and puncture pin to force them inwardly, and afusible connection for holding said hammer lever away from the valve stem leverand puncturepin.

8. In a device of the type described, a all plate, a cylinder having a discharge opening, clips on said plate for supporting said cylinder, a gas-container Within said cylinder, apin projecting beyond the head of said cylinder for puncturing said gas container to release the gas therein, a hammer lever for engaging said puncture pin, a support on said Wall plate to Which said lever pivoted, spring means on said Wall plate for drawingsaid lever into puncturing en gagement W th the puncture pm, and a selder connection on the Wall plate for holding the hammer lever out of engagement With said puncture pin for the purpose specified. i. A'iire extinguisher comprising a fluid containingcylinder having a discharge opening in its head, a wallbracket removably supporting saidcylinder, a valve controlling said discharge opening, a hand press for actuating said valve, and a fusible link and a valve operating device attached tosaid wall bracket adjacent said head for automatical- 1y actuating saidv valve on fusing of said link.v it

5. A fire extinguisher comprising a fluid containing cylinder having a discharge opening in its head, a Wall bracket for removably supporting said cylinder, a valve, controlling said discharge opening, a gas container Within the head portion of the cylinder, means for puncturing said container-to release gas therefrom to expel the fire extinguishin fluid through the discharge opening, a han press ioractuatingsaid valve and puncturing means, and a fusible link device and means attached to said Wall bracket adjacent thehead of the cylinder to automatically actuate therhand press to operate the gascontainer puncturing means and the Valve on fusing of sald, link.

' 6. In a device of the type described, a

fluid containingcyli'nder formed with a discharge opening, valve means'for controlling the passage of said fluid through theopening,a hammer'lever adjacent, the head of said cylinder to en age said valve means, an alarm, an electric circuit including Said alarm, and contact means adapted to be actuated by said lever to close said circuit to operate the alarmat the time the valve means are operated. a V

7. In a device of the type described, a cylinder formed With two; openings, a gas-con tainer Within said cylinder, meansfor puncturing saic gas container, a discharge opening,valve means for controlling discharge of cylinder contents through saidivalve opening,

a; hammer lever adjacentathe. head, of said cylinder for operation of said valve means and puncturing means, an alarm, an electric:

circuit including said alarm, and contact means adapted to be actuated by said circuit to operate said alarm at thei time the valve body, a member for actuating said stem means, a puncture pin for opening the gas-container, and a hammer forthe simultaneous operation of said valve stem ac-' tuating member and the puncture pin. 7

9. In a device of the type described, a. cylinder formed With tWo openings, a gas container Within said cylinder adjacent one opening therein, a valve body inthe other 1 opening,'a Valve Within said body, a stem on said valve projecting beyond said valve body, means for actuating-said valve stem,-

a puncture pin for opening the gas, container,

a hammer for the simultaneous operation of said valve stem actuating means and the puncture pin, and a 'fUSlblB connection for holding said hammer away from the valve stem actuating means and the puncture pin.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set myhand this 20th day of September, 1928.

FREDERICK W. HECKERTJ 'iar) 

